What is a “body double,” and how does it help?

Body doubling is a strategy a lot of ADHD Brains use to help us focus. Join us!

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[iyanueuler]

I’ve been doing this for years and I didn’t even know it had a name

[aubrey]

another reason school was easier when we got to go

[rebekkakruse]

I first started doing this when I moved out from my parents and was really struggling to take care of myself. When I told my therapist at the time about having someone come over and sit with me while I cleaned my room, she admonished me, saying that was fine for now but we needed to focus on me being able to do things by myself. I felt terrible and stopped and became really depressed/ashamed whenever I couldn't do something alone. I wish I could show this to her and tell her that it was okay for me to need other people.

[MaaveMaave]

We call this "pair programming" in the software field. It's highly effective at getting work done and also reduces errors. Surprisingly this is the first time I related it to ADHD motivation, which is nuts considering how many programmers have Asperger's or ADHD.

[brindmusicnerd]

This helps massively with my anxiety, but I call it Person Anchor, as in “will you be my Person Anchor while I fill in these intimidating insurance forms”.
Body double to me implies somehow replacing you, like in the movies a body double is a stand in for the real actor.
Whereas a Person Anchor is a person acting as an anchor by just sitting there and allowing their presence to help me feel grounded and anchored.

[elliselbee]

a weekly occurrence in my life before this video:
me: "i need help with [task]."
person: "what part do you need help with?"
me: "oh no, i don't need help DOING [task], i just need help while i do [task]."
person: "help with what?"
me: "idk i just need help"
person: "but what do you need me to do?"
me: "nothing."
person: "that's not helping. what part of [task] do you need my help with?"
me: "none of it, i just need help."
person: walks away in frustration

[bihuahua]

I haven't been diagnosed with ADHD, but I've been using this method without knowing its name or even that this is an ADHD focus strategy. Since I was a child, whenever I had to do something that I was avoiding, I asked one of my parents to come sit with me while I do the thing I have to do. My dad talks a lot - so he is there with me when I clean, cook, etc. But when I need to study or write, I ask my mom to sit with me. I finished my MA thesis this year with my mom sitting next to me for the last month of writing it. Thank you, mom and dad <3

[Tbehartoo]

My sister-in-law often asks me to come over while she cleans/does her lesson plans I didn't realize I was body doubling for her. I can't wait to show her this! Thanks

[avadonaldson]

Body doubling is the only way I have EVER been able to get something like school work done, I had no idea there was an actual term for it and now i better know how to explain to someone when I want them to be on call with me "just because" TYSM!! XD

[troymccabe]

I’ve found that multiple people have a negative effect on my focus, where a single person or my pupper provide a huge support boost.

[PlayLyss]

What?!? I had no idea this was actually a thing I was doing! I literally begged my best friend to just sit in the family room with me so I could do my homework in college. It didn't even matter if she talked, I just needed someone to be there so I could focus. I used to beg one of my siblings to sit with me in my room while I organized it as a kid because it helped me so much. My mind is blown. I had no idea this had a term and always chalked it up to me being too weak or stupid to do my work without help. I just gave up asking for it and actually dropped out of college last semester because I couldn't focus at all after my best friend cut contact with me and I was too embarrassed and socially anxious to ask anyone else to help me with it. As a last ditch effort, I disguised my attempts to find a body double as attempts to help OTHERS. I would post on my Facebook or Snapchat things like: "If anyone wants a homework buddy for accountability, I'm always free to help!" Or: "Would anyone be interested in an accountability club for homework?" Or: "Anyone want to join a homework/study party with me tonight?" I had no idea. And now I'm so relieved to realize it is a genuine coping strategy that isn't stupid or ridiculous. Thank you so much.

[wooosh]

okay but on another note: i get insanely calm in emergency situations or when everybody around me is worried about...idk a test we are going write...

[terolix]

I always thought it was just because I like passively hanging out and the presence of another keeps me more relaxed and focused. This body double theory makes complete sense though and really blows up the picture more! Makes sense why I'm better at reading when I'm in a public space than when I'm at home!

[misse]

My 9yr old is my "body double" sometimes... I've asked her to remind me if I get off task and she enjoys that little switch up of roles- she gets to tell me what to do 😁 Win Win!

[jessepinkmansimp]

this works SO WELL! i had a five page fiction narrative that i had been procrastinating to do all month, i opened up a younow stream after watching this video where strangers could watch me write and the motivation of not boring the audience really helped me finish it in an HOUR! i got 200 viewers and another thing that helped was when i titled the stream "be my focus buddy!" everyone came in and they were all like "oh yeah i have adhd too" and that was comforting and yeah i reccomend

[airdragongamer]

This is one of the many reasons I love being a twin. We both have type 1 ADHD and being each other's body double has really helped us get through big workloads.

[emmapawlak]

*"Cleaning your... dinosaur"* lol 🤣

[sckilham]

I usually work in a big office with lots of other people, and now I know this is why working from home is so hard for me. My coworkers dont even know they're holding me accountable, but the thought someone could look at my screen at any moment keeps me off of reddit and on my emails lol

[kyo]

I never realized this was a coping mechanism. I always thought that was one of my "Love languages, spending time together". This makes way more sense, I just like to be in the same room as someone while I do certain tasks I've been putting off. Thanks again for all your hard work and information. This has really become my comfort/motivational channel.

[sentientvoid]

I use an accountability cactus! I have it on my desk when I'm working and sort of assign it some mental sway over me and weirdly enough it actually helps me stay on task, especially with more creative stuff like writing. Idk but feeling the presence of another living thing even if it is a plant is really helpful.